| Μήδεια, χαῖρε: τοῦδε γὰρ προοίμιον | All hail, Medea! no man knoweth fairer prelude to the greeting of friends than this. Medea |
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| κάλλιον οὐδεὶς οἶδε προσφωνεῖν φίλους. | All hail, Medea! no man knoweth fairer prelude to the greeting of friends than this. Medea |
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| ὦ χαῖρε καὶ σύ, παῖ σοφοῦ Πανδίονος | All hail to thee likewise, Aegeus, son of wise Pandion. Whence comest thou to this land? Aegeu |
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| Αἰγεῦ. πόθεν γῆς τῆσδ' ἐπιστρωφᾷ πέδον; | All hail to thee likewise, Aegeus, son of wise Pandion. Whence comest thou to this land? Aegeu |
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| Φοίβου παλαιὸν ἐκλιπὼν χρηστήριον. | From Phoebus’ ancient oracle. Medea |
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| τί δ' ὀμφαλὸν γῆς θεσπιῳδὸν ἐστάλης; | What took thee on thy travels to the prophetic centre of the earth? Aegeu |
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| παίδων ἐρευνῶν σπέρμ' ὅπως γένοιτό μοι. | The wish to ask how I might raise up seed unto myself. Medea |
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| πρὸς θεῶν, ἄπαις γὰρ δεῦρ' ἀεὶ τείνεις βίον; | Pray tell me, hast thou till now dragged on a childless life? Aegeu |
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| ἄπαιδές ἐσμεν δαίμονός τινος τύχῃ. | I have no child owing to the visitation of some god. Medea |
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| δάμαρτος οὔσης ἢ λέχους ἄπειρος ὤν; | Hast thou a wife, or hast thou never known the married state? Aegeu |
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| οὐκ ἐσμὲν εὐνῆς ἄζυγες γαμηλίου. | I have a wife joined to me in wedlock’s bond. Medea |
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| τί δῆτα Φοῖβος εἶπέ σοι παίδων πέρι; | What said Phoebus to thee as to children? Aegeu |
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| σοφώτερ' ἢ κατ' ἄνδρα συμβαλεῖν ἔπη. | Words too subtle for man to comprehend. Medea |
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| θέμις μὲν ἡμᾶς χρησμὸν εἰδέναι θεοῦ; | Surely I may learn the god’s answer? Aegeu |
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| μάλιστ', ἐπεί τοι καὶ σοφῆς δεῖται φρενός. | Most assuredly, for it is just thy subtle wit it needs. Medea |
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| τί δῆτ' ἔχρησε; λέξον, εἰ θέμις κλύειν. | What said the god? speak, if I may hear it. Aegeu |
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| ἀσκοῦ με τὸν προύχοντα μὴ λῦσαι πόδα... | He bade me not loose the wineskin’s pendent neck. i.e., enjoined strict chastity. Medea |
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| πρὶν ἂν τί δράσῃς ἢ τίν' ἐξίκῃ χθόνα; | Till when? what must thou do first, what country visit? Aegeu |
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| πρὶν ἂν πατρῴαν αὖθις ἑστίαν μόλω. | Till I to my native home return. Medea |
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| σὺ δ' ὡς τί χρῄζων τήνδε ναυστολεῖς χθόνα; | What object hast thou in sailing to this land? Aegeu |
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| Πιτθεύς τις ἔστι, γῆς ἄναξ Τροζηνίας. | O’er Troezen’s realm is Pittheus king. Medea |
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| παῖς, ὡς λέγουσι, Πέλοπος, εὐσεβέστατος. | Pelops’ son, a man devout they say. Aegeu |
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| τούτῳ θεοῦ μάντευμα κοινῶσαι θέλω. | To him I fain would impart the oracle of the god. Medea |
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| σοφὸς γὰρ ἁνὴρ καὶ τρίβων τὰ τοιάδε. | The man is shrewd and versed in such-like lore. Aegeu |
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| κἀμοί γε πάντων φίλτατος δορυξένων. | Aye, and to me the dearest of all my warrior friends. Medea |
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| ἀλλ' εὐτυχοίης καὶ τύχοις ὅσων ἐρᾷς. | Good luck to thee! success to all thy wishes! Aegeu |
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| τί γὰρ σὸν ὄμμα χρώς τε συντέτηχ' ὅδε; | But why that downcast eye, that wasted cheek? Medea |
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| Αἰγεῦ, κάκιστός ἐστί μοι πάντων πόσις. | O Aegeus, my husband has proved a monster of iniquity. Aegeu |
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| τί φῄς; σαφῶς μοι σὰς φράσον δυσθυμίας. | What meanest thou? explain to me clearly the cause of thy despondency. Medea |
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| ἀδικεῖ μ' ̓Ιάσων οὐδὲν ἐξ ἐμοῦ παθών. | Jason is wronging me though I have given him no cause. Aegeu |
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| τί χρῆμα δράσας; φράζε μοι σαφέστερον. | What hath he done? tell me more clearly. Medea |
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| γυναῖκ' ἐφ' ἡμῖν δεσπότιν δόμων ἔχει. | He is taking another wife to succeed me as mistress of his house. Aegeu |
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| οὔ που τετόλμηκ' ἔργον αἴσχιστον τόδε; | Can he have brought himself to such a dastard deed? Medea |
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| σάφ' ἴσθ': ἄτιμοι δ' ἐσμὲν οἱ πρὸ τοῦ φίλοι. | Be assured thereof; I, whom he loved of yore, am in dishonour now. Aegeu |
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| πότερον ἐρασθεὶς ἢ σὸν ἐχθαίρων λέχος; | Hath he found a new love? or does he loathe thy bed? Medea |
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| μέγαν γ' ἔρωτα: πιστὸς οὐκ ἔφυ φίλοις. | Much in love is he! A traitor to his friend is he become. Aegeu |
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| ἴτω νυν, εἴπερ, ὡς λέγεις, ἐστὶν κακός. | Enough! if he is a villain as thou sayest. Medea |
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| ἀνδρῶν τυράννων κῆδος ἠράσθη λαβεῖν. | The alliance he is so much enamoured of is with a princess. Aegeu |
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| δίδωσι δ' αὐτῷ τίς; πέραινέ μοι λόγον. | Who gives his daughter to him? go on, I pray. Medea |
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| Κρέων, ὃς ἄρχει τῆσδε γῆς Κορινθίας. | Creon, who is lord of this land of Corinth. Aegeu |
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| συγγνωστὰ μέντἄρ' ἦν σε λυπεῖσθαι, γύναι. | Lady, I can well pardon thy grief. Medea |
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| ὄλωλα: καὶ πρός γ' ἐξελαύνομαι χθονός. | I am undone, and more than that, am banished from the land. Aegeu |
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| πρὸς τοῦ; τόδ' ἄλλο καινὸν αὖ λέγεις κακόν. | By whom? fresh woe this word of thine unfolds. Medea |
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| Κρέων μ' ἐλαύνει φυγάδα γῆς Κορινθίας. | Creon drives me forth in exile from Corinth. Aegeu |
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| ἐᾷ δ' ̓Ιάσων; οὐδὲ ταῦτ' ἐπῄνεσα. | Doth Jason allow it? This too I blame him for. Medea |
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| λόγῳ μὲν οὐχί, καρτερεῖν δὲ βούλεται. | Not in words, but he will not stand out against it. Ο, I implore thee by this beard |
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| ἀλλ' ἄντομαί σε τῆσδε πρὸς γενειάδος | Not in words, but he will not stand out against it. Ο, I implore thee by this beard |
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| γονάτων τε τῶν σῶν ἱκεσία τε γίγνομαι | and by thy knees, in suppliant posture, pity, O pity my sorrows; do not see me cast forth forlorn, but receive me in thy country, to a seat within thy halls. So may thy wish by heaven’s grace be crowned with a full harvest |
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| οἴκτιρον οἴκτιρόν με τὴν δυσδαίμονα | and by thy knees, in suppliant posture, pity, O pity my sorrows; do not see me cast forth forlorn, but receive me in thy country, to a seat within thy halls. So may thy wish by heaven’s grace be crowned with a full harvest |
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| καὶ μή μ' ἔρημον ἐκπεσοῦσαν εἰσίδῃς | and by thy knees, in suppliant posture, pity, O pity my sorrows; do not see me cast forth forlorn, but receive me in thy country, to a seat within thy halls. So may thy wish by heaven’s grace be crowned with a full harvest |
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| δέξαι δὲ χώρᾳ καὶ δόμοις ἐφέστιον. | and by thy knees, in suppliant posture, pity, O pity my sorrows; do not see me cast forth forlorn, but receive me in thy country, to a seat within thy halls. So may thy wish by heaven’s grace be crowned with a full harvest |
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| οὕτως ἔρως σοὶ πρὸς θεῶν τελεσφόρος | and by thy knees, in suppliant posture, pity, O pity my sorrows; do not see me cast forth forlorn, but receive me in thy country, to a seat within thy halls. So may thy wish by heaven’s grace be crowned with a full harvest |
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| γένοιτο παίδων καὐτὸς ὄλβιος θάνοις. | of offspring, and may thy life close in happiness! Thou knowest not the rare good luck thou findest here, for I will make thy childlessness to cease and cause thee to beget fair issue; so potent are the spells I know. Aegeu |
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| εὕρημα δ' οὐκ οἶσθ' οἷον ηὕρηκας τόδε: | of offspring, and may thy life close in happiness! Thou knowest not the rare good luck thou findest here, for I will make thy childlessness to cease and cause thee to beget fair issue; so potent are the spells I know. Aegeu |
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| παύσω γέ ς' ὄντ' ἄπαιδα καὶ παίδων γονὰς | of offspring, and may thy life close in happiness! Thou knowest not the rare good luck thou findest here, for I will make thy childlessness to cease and cause thee to beget fair issue; so potent are the spells I know. Aegeu |
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| σπεῖραί σε θήσω: τοιάδ' οἶδα φάρμακα. | of offspring, and may thy life close in happiness! Thou knowest not the rare good luck thou findest here, for I will make thy childlessness to cease and cause thee to beget fair issue; so potent are the spells I know. Aegeu |
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| πολλῶν ἕκατι τήνδε σοι δοῦναι χάριν | Lady, on many grounds I am most fain to grant thee this thy boon |
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| γύναι, πρόθυμός εἰμι, πρῶτα μὲν θεῶν | first for the gods’ sake, next for the children whom thou dost promise I shall beget; for in respect of this I am completely lost. The Schol. gives two interpretations of φροῦδος , (1) I am ruined as far as begetting children goes. (2) I am entirely devoted to doing so. Neither is satisfactory owing to want of parallel passages. ’Tis thus with me; if e’er thou reach my land, I will attempt to champion thee as I am bound to do. |
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| ἔπειτα παίδων ὧν ἐπαγγέλλῃ γονάς: | first for the gods’ sake, next for the children whom thou dost promise I shall beget; for in respect of this I am completely lost. The Schol. gives two interpretations of φροῦδος , (1) I am ruined as far as begetting children goes. (2) I am entirely devoted to doing so. Neither is satisfactory owing to want of parallel passages. ’Tis thus with me; if e’er thou reach my land, I will attempt to champion thee as I am bound to do. |
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| ἐς τοῦτο γὰρ δὴ φροῦδός εἰμι πᾶς ἐγώ. | first for the gods’ sake, next for the children whom thou dost promise I shall beget; for in respect of this I am completely lost. The Schol. gives two interpretations of φροῦδος , (1) I am ruined as far as begetting children goes. (2) I am entirely devoted to doing so. Neither is satisfactory owing to want of parallel passages. ’Tis thus with me; if e’er thou reach my land, I will attempt to champion thee as I am bound to do. |
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| οὕτω δ' ἔχει μοι: σοῦ μὲν ἐλθούσης χθόνα | first for the gods’ sake, next for the children whom thou dost promise I shall beget; for in respect of this I am completely lost. The Schol. gives two interpretations of φροῦδος , (1) I am ruined as far as begetting children goes. (2) I am entirely devoted to doing so. Neither is satisfactory owing to want of parallel passages. ’Tis thus with me; if e’er thou reach my land, I will attempt to champion thee as I am bound to do. |
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| πειράσομαί σου προξενεῖν δίκαιος ὤν. | first for the gods’ sake, next for the children whom thou dost promise I shall beget; for in respect of this I am completely lost. The Schol. gives two interpretations of φροῦδος , (1) I am ruined as far as begetting children goes. (2) I am entirely devoted to doing so. Neither is satisfactory owing to want of parallel passages. ’Tis thus with me; if e’er thou reach my land, I will attempt to champion thee as I am bound to do. |
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| τοσόνδε μέντοι σοι προσημαίνω, γύναι: | Only one warning I do give thee first, lady; I will not from this land bear thee away, yet if of thyself thou reach my halls, there shalt thou bide in safety and I will never yield thee up to any man. But from this land escape without my aid |
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| ἐκ τῆσδε μὲν γῆς οὔ ς' ἄγειν βουλήσομαι | Only one warning I do give thee first, lady; I will not from this land bear thee away, yet if of thyself thou reach my halls, there shalt thou bide in safety and I will never yield thee up to any man. But from this land escape without my aid |
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| αὐτὴ δ' ἐάνπερ εἰς ἐμοὺς ἔλθῃς δόμους | Only one warning I do give thee first, lady; I will not from this land bear thee away, yet if of thyself thou reach my halls, there shalt thou bide in safety and I will never yield thee up to any man. But from this land escape without my aid |
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| μενεῖς ἄσυλος κοὔ σε μὴ μεθῶ τινι. | Only one warning I do give thee first, lady; I will not from this land bear thee away, yet if of thyself thou reach my halls, there shalt thou bide in safety and I will never yield thee up to any man. But from this land escape without my aid |
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| ἐκ τῆσδε δ' αὐτὴ γῆς ἀπαλλάσσου πόδα: | Only one warning I do give thee first, lady; I will not from this land bear thee away, yet if of thyself thou reach my halls, there shalt thou bide in safety and I will never yield thee up to any man. But from this land escape without my aid |
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| ἀναίτιος γὰρ καὶ ξένοις εἶναι θέλω. | for I have no wish to incur the blame of my allies as well. i.e., as well as Jason. Medea |
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| ἔσται τάδ': ἀλλὰ πίστις εἰ γένοιτό μοι | It shall be even so; but wouldst thou pledge thy word to this, I should in all be well content with thee. Aegeu |
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| τούτων, ἔχοιμ' ἂν πάντα πρὸς σέθεν καλῶς. | It shall be even so; but wouldst thou pledge thy word to this, I should in all be well content with thee. Aegeu |
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| μῶν οὐ πέποιθας; ἢ τί σοι τὸ δυσχερές; | Surely thou dost trust me? or is there aught that troubles thee? Medea |
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| πέποιθα: Πελίου δ' ἐχθρός ἐστί μοι δόμος | Thee I trust; but Pelias’ house and Creon are my foes. |
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| Κρέων τε. τούτοις δ' ὁρκίοισι μὲν ζυγεὶς | Wherefore, if thou art bound by an oath, thou wilt not give To avoid the very doubtful form μεθεῖς = μεθείης some read μεθεῖ’ ἂν . me up to them when they come to drag me from the land, but, having entered into a compact and sworn Reading ἐνώμοτος . Hermann changes καὶ into μὴ . A simpler change, supported by a Schol., and one MS., would be to read ἀνωμοτος = whereas if thou only make a verbal compact, without oath, thou mightest be persuaded, etc. The whole passage is, as it stands, probably corrupt; numerous emendations have been proposed. If the above emendation be adopted, it will be necessary to alter οὐκ ἂν πίθοιο for which Munro proposed ὀκνῶν πίθοιο = and fearing their demands of surrender thou mightest yield. Wecklein, τάχ’ ἂν τίθοι σε (adopted by Nauck), is tempting. by heaven as well, thou wilt become my friend and disregard their overtures. Weak is any aid of mine |
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| ἄγουσιν οὐ μεθεῖ' ἂν ἐκ γαίας ἐμέ: | Wherefore, if thou art bound by an oath, thou wilt not give To avoid the very doubtful form μεθεῖς = μεθείης some read μεθεῖ’ ἂν . me up to them when they come to drag me from the land, but, having entered into a compact and sworn Reading ἐνώμοτος . Hermann changes καὶ into μὴ . A simpler change, supported by a Schol., and one MS., would be to read ἀνωμοτος = whereas if thou only make a verbal compact, without oath, thou mightest be persuaded, etc. The whole passage is, as it stands, probably corrupt; numerous emendations have been proposed. If the above emendation be adopted, it will be necessary to alter οὐκ ἂν πίθοιο for which Munro proposed ὀκνῶν πίθοιο = and fearing their demands of surrender thou mightest yield. Wecklein, τάχ’ ἂν τίθοι σε (adopted by Nauck), is tempting. by heaven as well, thou wilt become my friend and disregard their overtures. Weak is any aid of mine |
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| λόγοις δὲ συμβὰς καὶ θεῶν ἀνώμοτος | Wherefore, if thou art bound by an oath, thou wilt not give To avoid the very doubtful form μεθεῖς = μεθείης some read μεθεῖ’ ἂν . me up to them when they come to drag me from the land, but, having entered into a compact and sworn Reading ἐνώμοτος . Hermann changes καὶ into μὴ . A simpler change, supported by a Schol., and one MS., would be to read ἀνωμοτος = whereas if thou only make a verbal compact, without oath, thou mightest be persuaded, etc. The whole passage is, as it stands, probably corrupt; numerous emendations have been proposed. If the above emendation be adopted, it will be necessary to alter οὐκ ἂν πίθοιο for which Munro proposed ὀκνῶν πίθοιο = and fearing their demands of surrender thou mightest yield. Wecklein, τάχ’ ἂν τίθοι σε (adopted by Nauck), is tempting. by heaven as well, thou wilt become my friend and disregard their overtures. Weak is any aid of mine |
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| φίλος γένοι' ἂν κἀπικηρυκεύμασιν | Wherefore, if thou art bound by an oath, thou wilt not give To avoid the very doubtful form μεθεῖς = μεθείης some read μεθεῖ’ ἂν . me up to them when they come to drag me from the land, but, having entered into a compact and sworn Reading ἐνώμοτος . Hermann changes καὶ into μὴ . A simpler change, supported by a Schol., and one MS., would be to read ἀνωμοτος = whereas if thou only make a verbal compact, without oath, thou mightest be persuaded, etc. The whole passage is, as it stands, probably corrupt; numerous emendations have been proposed. If the above emendation be adopted, it will be necessary to alter οὐκ ἂν πίθοιο for which Munro proposed ὀκνῶν πίθοιο = and fearing their demands of surrender thou mightest yield. Wecklein, τάχ’ ἂν τίθοι σε (adopted by Nauck), is tempting. by heaven as well, thou wilt become my friend and disregard their overtures. Weak is any aid of mine |
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| τάχ' ἂν πίθοιο: τἀμὰ μὲν γὰρ ἀσθενῆ | Wherefore, if thou art bound by an oath, thou wilt not give To avoid the very doubtful form μεθεῖς = μεθείης some read μεθεῖ’ ἂν . me up to them when they come to drag me from the land, but, having entered into a compact and sworn Reading ἐνώμοτος . Hermann changes καὶ into μὴ . A simpler change, supported by a Schol., and one MS., would be to read ἀνωμοτος = whereas if thou only make a verbal compact, without oath, thou mightest be persuaded, etc. The whole passage is, as it stands, probably corrupt; numerous emendations have been proposed. If the above emendation be adopted, it will be necessary to alter οὐκ ἂν πίθοιο for which Munro proposed ὀκνῶν πίθοιο = and fearing their demands of surrender thou mightest yield. Wecklein, τάχ’ ἂν τίθοι σε (adopted by Nauck), is tempting. by heaven as well, thou wilt become my friend and disregard their overtures. Weak is any aid of mine |
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| τοῖς δ' ὄλβος ἐστὶ καὶ δόμος τυραννικός. | whilst they have wealth and a princely house. Aegeu |
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| πολλὴν ἔδειξας ἐν λόγοις προμηθίαν: | Lady, thy words show much foresight, so if this is thy will, I do not refuse. For I shall feel secure and safe if I have some pretext to offer to thy foes |
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| ἀλλ', εἰ δοκεῖ σοι, δρᾶν τάδ' οὐκ ἀφίσταμαι. | Lady, thy words show much foresight, so if this is thy will, I do not refuse. For I shall feel secure and safe if I have some pretext to offer to thy foes |
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| ἐμοί τε γὰρ τάδ' ἐστὶν ἀσφαλέστερα | Lady, thy words show much foresight, so if this is thy will, I do not refuse. For I shall feel secure and safe if I have some pretext to offer to thy foes |
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| σκῆψίν τιν' ἐχθροῖς σοῖς ἔχοντα δεικνύναι | Lady, thy words show much foresight, so if this is thy will, I do not refuse. For I shall feel secure and safe if I have some pretext to offer to thy foes |
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| τὸ σόν τ' ἄραρε μᾶλλον: ἐξηγοῦ θεούς. | and thy case too the firmer stands. Now name thy gods. Medea |
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| ὄμνυ πέδον Γῆς πατέρα θ' ̔́Ηλιον πατρὸς | Swear by the plain of Earth, by Helios my father’s sire, and, in one comprehensive oath, by all the race of gods. Aegeu |
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| τοὐμοῦ θεῶν τε συντιθεὶς ἅπαν γένος. | Swear by the plain of Earth, by Helios my father’s sire, and, in one comprehensive oath, by all the race of gods. Aegeu |
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| τί χρῆμα δράσειν ἢ τί μὴ δράσειν; λέγε. | What shall I swear to do, from what refrain? tell me that. Medea |
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| μήτ' αὐτὸς ἐκ γῆς σῆς ἔμ' ἐκβαλεῖν ποτε | Swear that thou wilt never of thyself expel me from thy land |
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| μήτ', ἄλλος ἤν τις τῶν ἐμῶν ἐχθρῶν ἄγειν | nor, whilst life is thine, permit any other, one of my foes maybe, to hale me thence if so he will. Aegeu |
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| χρῄζῃ, μεθήσειν ζῶν ἑκουσίῳ τρόπῳ. | nor, whilst life is thine, permit any other, one of my foes maybe, to hale me thence if so he will. Aegeu |
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| ὄμνυμι Γαῖαν ̔Ηλίου θ' ἁγνὸν σέλας | By earth I swear, by the sun-god’s holy beam and by all the host of heaven that I will stand fast to the terms, I hear thee make. Medea |
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| θεούς τε πάντας ἐμμενεῖν ἅ σου κλύω. | By earth I swear, by the sun-god’s holy beam and by all the host of heaven that I will stand fast to the terms, I hear thee make. Medea |
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| ἀρκεῖ: τί δ' ὅρκῳ τῷδε μὴ 'μμένων πάθοις; | ’Tis enough. If thou shouldst break this oath, what curse dost thou invoke upon thyself? Aegeu |
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| ἃ τοῖσι δυσσεβοῦσι γίγνεται βροτῶν. | Whate’er betides the impious. Medea |
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| χαίρων πορεύου: πάντα γὰρ καλῶς ἔχει. | Go in peace; all is well, and I with what speed I may, will to thy city come, when I have wrought my purpose and obtained my wish. Choru |
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| κἀγὼ πόλιν σὴν ὡς τάχιστ' ἀφίξομαι | Go in peace; all is well, and I with what speed I may, will to thy city come, when I have wrought my purpose and obtained my wish. Choru |
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| πράξας' ἃ μέλλω καὶ τυχοῦς' ἃ βούλομαι. | Go in peace; all is well, and I with what speed I may, will to thy city come, when I have wrought my purpose and obtained my wish. Choru |
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| ἀλλά ς' ὁ Μαίας πομπαῖος ἄναξ | May Maia’s princely son |
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| πελάσειε δόμοις ὧν τ' ἐπίνοιαν | go with thee on thy way to bring thee to thy home, and mayest thou attain that on which thy soul is set so firmly, for to my mind thou seemest a generous man, O Aegeus. Medea |
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| σπεύδεις κατέχων πράξειας, ἐπεὶ | go with thee on thy way to bring thee to thy home, and mayest thou attain that on which thy soul is set so firmly, for to my mind thou seemest a generous man, O Aegeus. Medea |
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| γενναῖος ἀνήρ | go with thee on thy way to bring thee to thy home, and mayest thou attain that on which thy soul is set so firmly, for to my mind thou seemest a generous man, O Aegeus. Medea |
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| Αἰγεῦ, παρ' ἐμοὶ δεδόκησαι. | go with thee on thy way to bring thee to thy home, and mayest thou attain that on which thy soul is set so firmly, for to my mind thou seemest a generous man, O Aegeus. Medea |
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| ὦ Ζεῦ Δίκη τε Ζηνὸς ̔Ηλίου τε φῶς | O Zeus, and Justice, child of Zeus, and sun-god’s light |
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| νῦν καλλίνικοι τῶν ἐμῶν ἐχθρῶν, φίλαι | now will I triumph o’er my foes, kind friends; on victory’s road have I set forth; good hope have I of wreaking vengeance on those I hate. For where we were in most distress this stranger hath appeared, to be a haven in my counsels; |
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| γενησόμεσθα κεἰς ὁδὸν βεβήκαμεν | now will I triumph o’er my foes, kind friends; on victory’s road have I set forth; good hope have I of wreaking vengeance on those I hate. For where we were in most distress this stranger hath appeared, to be a haven in my counsels; |
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| νῦν ἐλπὶς ἐχθροὺς τοὺς ἐμοὺς τείσειν δίκην. | now will I triumph o’er my foes, kind friends; on victory’s road have I set forth; good hope have I of wreaking vengeance on those I hate. For where we were in most distress this stranger hath appeared, to be a haven in my counsels; |
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| οὗτος γὰρ ἁνὴρ ᾗ μάλιστ' ἐκάμνομεν | now will I triumph o’er my foes, kind friends; on victory’s road have I set forth; good hope have I of wreaking vengeance on those I hate. For where we were in most distress this stranger hath appeared, to be a haven in my counsels; |
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| λιμὴν πέφανται τῶν ἐμῶν βουλευμάτων: | now will I triumph o’er my foes, kind friends; on victory’s road have I set forth; good hope have I of wreaking vengeance on those I hate. For where we were in most distress this stranger hath appeared, to be a haven in my counsels; |
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| ἐκ τοῦδ' ἀναψόμεσθα πρυμνήτην κάλων | to him will we make fast the cables of our ship when we come to the town and citadel of Pallas. But now will I explain to thee my plans in full; do not expect to hear a pleasant tale. A servant of mine will I to Jason |
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| μολόντες ἄστυ καὶ πόλισμα Παλλάδος. | to him will we make fast the cables of our ship when we come to the town and citadel of Pallas. But now will I explain to thee my plans in full; do not expect to hear a pleasant tale. A servant of mine will I to Jason |
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| ἤδη δὲ πάντα τἀμά σοι βουλεύματα | to him will we make fast the cables of our ship when we come to the town and citadel of Pallas. But now will I explain to thee my plans in full; do not expect to hear a pleasant tale. A servant of mine will I to Jason |
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| λέξω: δέχου δὲ μὴ πρὸς ἡδονὴν λόγους. | to him will we make fast the cables of our ship when we come to the town and citadel of Pallas. But now will I explain to thee my plans in full; do not expect to hear a pleasant tale. A servant of mine will I to Jason |
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| πέμψας' ἐμῶν τιν' οἰκετῶν ̓Ιάσονα | to him will we make fast the cables of our ship when we come to the town and citadel of Pallas. But now will I explain to thee my plans in full; do not expect to hear a pleasant tale. A servant of mine will I to Jason |
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| ἐς ὄψιν ἐλθεῖν τὴν ἐμὴν αἰτήσομαι. | end and crave an interview; then when he comes I will address him with soft words, say, this pleases me, and, that is well, even the marriage with the princess, which my treacherous lord is celebrating, and add it suits us both, ’twas well thought out ; Porson condemns these two lines. |
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| μολόντι δ' αὐτῷ μαλθακοὺς λέξω λόγους | end and crave an interview; then when he comes I will address him with soft words, say, this pleases me, and, that is well, even the marriage with the princess, which my treacherous lord is celebrating, and add it suits us both, ’twas well thought out ; Porson condemns these two lines. |
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| ὡς καὶ δοκεῖ μοι ταὐτὰ καὶ καλῶς γαμεῖ | end and crave an interview; then when he comes I will address him with soft words, say, this pleases me, and, that is well, even the marriage with the princess, which my treacherous lord is celebrating, and add it suits us both, ’twas well thought out ; Porson condemns these two lines. |
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| γάμους τυράννων οὓς προδοὺς ἡμᾶς ἔχει | end and crave an interview; then when he comes I will address him with soft words, say, this pleases me, and, that is well, even the marriage with the princess, which my treacherous lord is celebrating, and add it suits us both, ’twas well thought out ; Porson condemns these two lines. |
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| καὶ ξύμφορ' εἶναι καὶ καλῶς ἐγνωσμένα. | end and crave an interview; then when he comes I will address him with soft words, say, this pleases me, and, that is well, even the marriage with the princess, which my treacherous lord is celebrating, and add it suits us both, ’twas well thought out ; Porson condemns these two lines. |
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| παῖδας δὲ μεῖναι τοὺς ἐμοὺς αἰτήσομαι | then will I entreat that here my children may abide, not that I mean to leave them in a hostile land for foes to flout, but that I may slay the king’s daughter by guile. For I will send them with gifts in their hands |
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| οὐχ ὡς λιποῦς' ἂν πολεμίας ἐπὶ χθονὸς | then will I entreat that here my children may abide, not that I mean to leave them in a hostile land for foes to flout, but that I may slay the king’s daughter by guile. For I will send them with gifts in their hands |
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| ἐχθροῖσι παῖδας τοὺς ἐμοὺς καθυβρίσαι | then will I entreat that here my children may abide, not that I mean to leave them in a hostile land for foes to flout, but that I may slay the king’s daughter by guile. For I will send them with gifts in their hands |
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| ἀλλ' ὡς δόλοισι παῖδα βασιλέως κτάνω. | then will I entreat that here my children may abide, not that I mean to leave them in a hostile land for foes to flout, but that I may slay the king’s daughter by guile. For I will send them with gifts in their hands |
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| πέμψω γὰρ αὐτοὺς δῶρ' ἔχοντας ἐν χεροῖν | then will I entreat that here my children may abide, not that I mean to leave them in a hostile land for foes to flout, but that I may slay the king’s daughter by guile. For I will send them with gifts in their hands |
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| [νύμφῃ φέροντας, τήνδε μὴ φυγεῖν χθόνα,] | carrying them unto the bride to save them from banishment, a robe of finest woof and a chaplet of gold. And if these ornaments she take and put them on, miserably shall she die, and likewise everyone who touches her; with such fell poisons will I smear my gifts. |
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| λεπτόν τε πέπλον καὶ πλόκον χρυσήλατον: | carrying them unto the bride to save them from banishment, a robe of finest woof and a chaplet of gold. And if these ornaments she take and put them on, miserably shall she die, and likewise everyone who touches her; with such fell poisons will I smear my gifts. |
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| κἄνπερ λαβοῦσα κόσμον ἀμφιθῇ χροί̈ | carrying them unto the bride to save them from banishment, a robe of finest woof and a chaplet of gold. And if these ornaments she take and put them on, miserably shall she die, and likewise everyone who touches her; with such fell poisons will I smear my gifts. |
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| κακῶς ὀλεῖται πᾶς θ' ὃς ἂν θίγῃ κόρης: | carrying them unto the bride to save them from banishment, a robe of finest woof and a chaplet of gold. And if these ornaments she take and put them on, miserably shall she die, and likewise everyone who touches her; with such fell poisons will I smear my gifts. |
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| τοιοῖσδε χρίσω φαρμάκοις δωρήματα. | carrying them unto the bride to save them from banishment, a robe of finest woof and a chaplet of gold. And if these ornaments she take and put them on, miserably shall she die, and likewise everyone who touches her; with such fell poisons will I smear my gifts. |
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| ἐνταῦθα μέντοι τόνδ' ἀπαλλάσσω λόγον. | And here I quit this theme; but I shudder at the deed I must do next; for I will slay the children I have borne; there is none shall take them from my toils; and when I have utterly confounded Jason’s house |
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| ᾤμωξα δ' οἷον ἔργον ἔστ' ἐργαστέον | And here I quit this theme; but I shudder at the deed I must do next; for I will slay the children I have borne; there is none shall take them from my toils; and when I have utterly confounded Jason’s house |
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| τοὐντεῦθεν ἡμῖν: τέκνα γὰρ κατακτενῶ | And here I quit this theme; but I shudder at the deed I must do next; for I will slay the children I have borne; there is none shall take them from my toils; and when I have utterly confounded Jason’s house |
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| τἄμ': οὔτις ἔστιν ὅστις ἐξαιρήσεται: | And here I quit this theme; but I shudder at the deed I must do next; for I will slay the children I have borne; there is none shall take them from my toils; and when I have utterly confounded Jason’s house |
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| δόμον τε πάντα συγχέας' ̓Ιάσονος | And here I quit this theme; but I shudder at the deed I must do next; for I will slay the children I have borne; there is none shall take them from my toils; and when I have utterly confounded Jason’s house |
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| ἔξειμι γαίας, φιλτάτων παίδων φόνον | I will leave the land, escaping punishment for my dear children’s murder, after my most unholy deed. For I cannot endure the taunts of enemies, kind friends; enough! what gain is life to me? I have no country, home, or refuge left. |
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| φεύγουσα καὶ τλᾶς' ἔργον ἀνοσιώτατον. | I will leave the land, escaping punishment for my dear children’s murder, after my most unholy deed. For I cannot endure the taunts of enemies, kind friends; enough! what gain is life to me? I have no country, home, or refuge left. |
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| οὐ γὰρ γελᾶσθαι τλητὸν ἐξ ἐχθρῶν, φίλαι. | I will leave the land, escaping punishment for my dear children’s murder, after my most unholy deed. For I cannot endure the taunts of enemies, kind friends; enough! what gain is life to me? I have no country, home, or refuge left. |
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| ἴτω: τί μοι ζῆν κέρδος; οὔτε μοι πατρὶς | I will leave the land, escaping punishment for my dear children’s murder, after my most unholy deed. For I cannot endure the taunts of enemies, kind friends; enough! what gain is life to me? I have no country, home, or refuge left. |
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| οὔτ' οἶκος ἔστιν οὔτ' ἀποστροφὴ κακῶν. | I will leave the land, escaping punishment for my dear children’s murder, after my most unholy deed. For I cannot endure the taunts of enemies, kind friends; enough! what gain is life to me? I have no country, home, or refuge left. |
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| ἡμάρτανον τόθ' ἡνίκ' ἐξελίμπανον | Ο, I did wrong, that hour I left my father’s home, persuaded by that Hellene’s words, who now shall pay the penalty, so help me God. Never shall he see again alive the children I bore to him |
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| δόμους πατρῴους, ἀνδρὸς ̔́Ελληνος λόγοις | Ο, I did wrong, that hour I left my father’s home, persuaded by that Hellene’s words, who now shall pay the penalty, so help me God. Never shall he see again alive the children I bore to him |
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| πεισθεῖς', ὃς ἡμῖν σὺν θεῷ τείσει δίκην. | Ο, I did wrong, that hour I left my father’s home, persuaded by that Hellene’s words, who now shall pay the penalty, so help me God. Never shall he see again alive the children I bore to him |
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| οὔτ' ἐξ ἐμοῦ γὰρ παῖδας ὄψεταί ποτε | Ο, I did wrong, that hour I left my father’s home, persuaded by that Hellene’s words, who now shall pay the penalty, so help me God. Never shall he see again alive the children I bore to him |
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| ζῶντας τὸ λοιπὸν οὔτε τῆς νεοζύγου | Ο, I did wrong, that hour I left my father’s home, persuaded by that Hellene’s words, who now shall pay the penalty, so help me God. Never shall he see again alive the children I bore to him |
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| νύμφης τεκνώσει παῖδ', ἐπεὶ κακὴν κακῶς | nor from his new bride shall he beget issue, for she must die a hideous death, slain by my drugs. Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded hands, but of another mould, dangerous to foes and well-disposed to friends; |
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| θανεῖν σφ' ἀνάγκη τοῖς ἐμοῖσι φαρμάκοις. | nor from his new bride shall he beget issue, for she must die a hideous death, slain by my drugs. Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded hands, but of another mould, dangerous to foes and well-disposed to friends; |
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| μηδείς με φαύλην κἀσθενῆ νομιζέτω | nor from his new bride shall he beget issue, for she must die a hideous death, slain by my drugs. Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded hands, but of another mould, dangerous to foes and well-disposed to friends; |
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| μηδ' ἡσυχαίαν, ἀλλὰ θατέρου τρόπου | nor from his new bride shall he beget issue, for she must die a hideous death, slain by my drugs. Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded hands, but of another mould, dangerous to foes and well-disposed to friends; |
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| βαρεῖαν ἐχθροῖς καὶ φίλοισιν εὐμενῆ: | nor from his new bride shall he beget issue, for she must die a hideous death, slain by my drugs. Let no one deem me a poor weak woman who sits with folded hands, but of another mould, dangerous to foes and well-disposed to friends; |
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| τῶν γὰρ τοιούτων εὐκλεέστατος βίος. | for they win the fairest fame who live their life like me. Choru |
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| ἐπείπερ ἡμῖν τόνδ' ἐκοίνωσας λόγον | Since thou hast imparted this design to me, I bid thee hold thy hand, both from a wish to serve thee and because I would uphold the laws men make. Medea |
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| σέ τ' ὠφελεῖν θέλουσα καὶ νόμοις βροτῶν | Since thou hast imparted this design to me, I bid thee hold thy hand, both from a wish to serve thee and because I would uphold the laws men make. Medea |
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| ξυλλαμβάνουσα δρᾶν ς' ἀπεννέπω τάδε. | Since thou hast imparted this design to me, I bid thee hold thy hand, both from a wish to serve thee and because I would uphold the laws men make. Medea |
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| οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλως: σοὶ δὲ συγγνώμη λέγειν | It cannot but be so; thy word |
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| τάδ' ἐστί, μὴ πάσχουσαν, ὡς ἐγώ, κακῶς. | I pardon since thou art not in the same sorry plight that I am. Choru |
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| ἀλλὰ κτανεῖν σὸν σπέρμα τολμήσεις, γύναι; | O lady, wilt thou steel thyself to slay thy children twain? Medea |
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| οὕτω γὰρ ἂν μάλιστα δηχθείη πόσις. | I will, for that will stab my husband to the heart. Choru |
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| σὺ δ' ἂν γένοιό γ' ἀθλιωτάτη γυνή. | It may, but thou wilt be the saddest wife alive. Medea |
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| ἴτω: περισσοὶ πάντες οὑν μέσῳ λόγοι. | No matter; wasted is every word that comes ’twixt now and then. |
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| ἀλλ' εἶα χώρει καὶ κόμιζ' ̓Ιάσονα | (To the Nurse.) Ho! thou, go call me Jason hither, for thee I do employ on every mission of trust. No word divulge of all my purpose, as thou art to thy mistress loyal and likewise of my sex. Choru |
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| （ἐς πάντα γὰρ δὴ σοὶ τὰ πιστὰ χρώμεθα） | (To the Nurse.) Ho! thou, go call me Jason hither, for thee I do employ on every mission of trust. No word divulge of all my purpose, as thou art to thy mistress loyal and likewise of my sex. Choru |
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| λέξῃς δὲ μηδὲν τῶν ἐμοὶ δεδογμένων | (To the Nurse.) Ho! thou, go call me Jason hither, for thee I do employ on every mission of trust. No word divulge of all my purpose, as thou art to thy mistress loyal and likewise of my sex. Choru |
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| εἴπερ φρονεῖς εὖ δεσπόταις γυνή τ' ἔφυς. | (To the Nurse.) Ho! thou, go call me Jason hither, for thee I do employ on every mission of trust. No word divulge of all my purpose, as thou art to thy mistress loyal and likewise of my sex. Choru |
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